Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office New York (HKETONY) Steve Barclay visited 16 states between May and August, meeting with state and city government leaders, as well as business executives and university faculty members, to update them on the latest developments in Hong Kong and to exchange views on potential collaboration opportunities.

In the North Carolina cities of Raleigh and Charlotte (May 18-19), Mr. Barclay highlighted business opportunities and the advantages of doing business in Hong Kong, including the city’s strategic location, its free-market economy, the rule of law and a level playing field.

Mr. Barclay (left) with West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin.

Mr. Barclay (right) with Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear.

Mr. Barclay met with a number of government and business leaders, including North Carolina Secretary of Commerce John E. Skvarla III and Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane.

In visits to Trenton, New Jersey, and Philadelphia on June 15 -16, Mr. Barclay met with business leaders to discuss business, commerce and trade developments. He also spoke at a biotechnology expo in Philadelphia.

On his three-day visit to four states in the New England area from June 29 to July 3, Mr. Barclay stopped at 10 cities in New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

During the visits, he called on New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan and Maine Gov. Paul LePage.

Making his first official visit to Rhode Island on July 29, Mr. Barclay paid a courtesy call to the Ocean State’s Lt. Gov. Daniel McKee. He also met with Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza.

Between August 3-5, Mr. Barclay visited the states of Maryland, Virginia and Delaware, where he met with various business and government officials, and highlighted Hong Kong's "super connector" role in business and trade between the U.S. and mainland China as well as the rest of Asia. While in Baltimore, Mr. Barclay met with candidates of the Master of Arts in Arts Administration program at Goucher College and gave them an overview of Hong Kong's latest development as a international arts and cultural hub.

Mr. Barclay undertook a four-state visit to Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky and Indiana in the week of August 24. During the visits he called on West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear and Indiana Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann.

Mr. Barclay is an invited speaker at the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, College Park on August 31, under its "Distinguished Speaker Series". Speaking on the topic of "Hong Kong’s Economic and Political Landscape," Mr. Barclay will give an overview of Hong Kong's latest economic situation, business and study opportunities. Head of Investment Promotion of Invest Hong Kong (New York) Kelly Jones will also participate in the talk and provide more in-depth information on business opportunities in Hong Kong.

Mr. Barclay also met with business executives to discuss Hong Kong’s key industries – financial services, trading and logistics, tourism and professional services, as well as other areas of mutual interest. He also met with academic officials to discuss potential collaboration.